Wall mount chassis

ABSTRACT

A wall mount chassis includes circuitry for telecommunications signals. The chassis includes a rear wall mountable to a vertical wall, and first and second sides. Each side includes a hinged cover. Each cover includes an access window for viewing an opposite side of the cover. On one side of the chassis is positioned at least one signal converter card for converting between optical and electrical signals. On an opposite side of the chassis are positioned one or more electrical power cards providing an access location for power to the circuitry. A CPU card can also be provided on the same side as the power card. An interior of the chassis includes a back plane positioned between the converter cards and the power and CPU cards wherein the back plane is perpendicular to the converter cards and power and CPU cards. A cable spool or a cable lance is positioned adjacent one of the sides for cable management. Cable clips are provided for securably retaining one or more cables adjacent each of the first and second sides.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to telecommunications chassis andassociated modules. More specifically, the present invention is directedto chassis and module structures that facilitate conversion betweenelectrical and optical signals.

BACKGROUND

Chassis for housing telecommunications modules provide a structure forprotecting the modules from externalities while providing heatdissipation for circuitry contained on the modules. The modules are alsoshielded from electromagnetic interference. Furthermore, the chassisprovides control of flame spread should a fire ever be imposed withinthe chassis.

Cable management to and from the chassis is often a concern. Theelectrical signal cables and the optical signal cables lead to theconverter modules. A power cable supplies power for converting thesignals, and for powering other system components. Organizing thecables, and protecting the cables from damage is a significant concern.

Thus, there is a need for chassis and module structures that facilitateprotection of telecommunications cables and circuits, including thoseperforming electrical to optical and optical to electrical conversions.

SUMMARY

A wall mount chassis is provided including a main housing defining aninterior for receipt of telecommunications circuitry. The main housingdefines a rear wall, an opposed front wall, and first and second sidesextending between the front and rear walls. The rear wall is mountableto a vertical wall. The first side defines a cable access location. Thesecond side also defines a cable access location.

Preferably, first and second hinged covers are provided, each coverhinged at a hinge adjacent to one of the first and second sides,respectively. Each hinged cover includes an access window for viewing aninterior of the cover. Preferably, the access window is positioned on anangled surface of the cover, angled with respect to the side and thefront wall.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of cable clips are positionedadjacent to each of the first and second sides for retaining cablespositioned adjacent to the first and second, sides.

Preferably, a back plane including circuit traces is provided, the backplane extending parallel to the first and second sides. The first andsecond sides each define an opening for receipt of at least one circuitcard extending perpendicularly to the back plane, each circuit carddefining at least one of the cable access locations.

The main housing also preferably includes extensions extending generallyparallel to the rear wall from adjacent to the first and second sides,the extensions defining cable openings to receive cables extendingtoward the cable access locations.

A method of managing telecommunications cables is provided comprisingthe steps of providing a chassis mounted to a wall and having left andright sides, extending an electrical signal cable to a selected sideselected from the left and right sides, and extending an optical signalcable to the selected side. The extended electrical signal cable and theextended optical signal cable are connected to a signal convertercircuitry within the chassis. The method further includes extending apower supply cable to the other side opposite the selected side, andconnecting the extended power supply cable to the signal convertercircuitry within the chassis.

The method preferably includes providing hinged covers, one cover ateach of the left and right sides, and further comprising the step ofhinging the covers closed to cover each of the left and right sides ofthe chassis.

The method preferably includes providing cable clips, and furthercomprising the step of clipping each cable to one of the cable clipsbefore hinging the covers to the closed positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, front, left side perspective view of a first embodimentof a wall mount chassis.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternative wall mount chassis to thechassis of FIG. 1, with a different cover retention mechanism, and nofront visual indicators.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the chassis of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the chassis of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the chassis of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 2, show with the left side cover lifted off of the main housing.

FIG. 7 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 2, with the right side cover lifted off of the main housing.

FIG. 8 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 2 without the left and right side covers.

FIG. 9 is a top, front, right side view of the chassis of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a left side perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 2,showing two signal converter cards removed from the chassis.

FIG. 11 is a left side perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 2 showingtwo power cards and one CPU card removed from the chassis.

FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of the chassis showing left sidecable management structures exploded from a remainder of the chassis.

FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 12,showing right side cable management structures exploded from a remainderof the chassis.

FIG. 14 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the chassis ofFIG. 2, without the covers, cable management structures, and the cards.

FIG. 15 is a left side view of the chassis of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the chassis of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 shows the chassis of FIG. 14 with an inner chassis assemblyremoved from a main chassis assembly.

FIG. 18 is a top, rear, right side perspective view of the inner chassisassembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the twoconverter cards.

FIG. 19 is a bottom, front, right side perspective view of the innerchassis assembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the twoconverter cards.

FIG. 20 is a top, front, left side perspective view of the inner chassisassembly holding the two power cards, the CPU card, and the twoconverter cards, and shown with the top and front removed.

FIG. 21 shows the front, top, left side view of the inner chassisassembly receiving the back plane during assembly.

FIG. 22 is a top, back, right side perspective view of the inner chassisreceiving the back plane during assembly.

FIG. 23 is a right side view of the inner chassis assembly including theback plane.

FIG. 24 is a left side view of the inner chassis assembly including theback plane.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the inner chassis assembly, showing thetop exploded and the back plane removed.

FIG. 26 is a further exploded view of the inner chassis assembly of FIG.25, showing the front and rear exploded.

FIG. 27 is a further exploded view of a bottom of the inner chassisassembly of FIG. 26, showing the card guides exploded.

FIG. 28 is a further exploded view of the top of the inner chassisassembly of FIG. 26, showing the card guides exploded.

FIG. 29 shows the chassis of FIG. 2 with optical fiber cables and UTPcables connected to the signal converter cards, and with the left sidecover removed.

FIG. 30 shows the chassis of FIG. 2 with power cables and UTP cablesconnected to the power cards and CPU card, respectively, and with theright side cover removed.

FIG. 31 is a schematic drawing showing the various cards connected tothe back plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a wall mountchassis 10 is shown. Along a rear wall 12, chassis 10 is mounted to awall of a building. Chassis 10 includes conversion capability forconverting electrical signals to optical signals, and optical signals toelectrical signals. Specifically, chassis 10 receives cabling containingthe optical signals, and cabling containing the electrical signals.Circuitry within chassis 10 converts between electrical and opticalsignals. Chassis 10 also includes a power supply cable for powering thecircuitry necessary to convert between electrical and optical signals.Preferably, chassis 10 also includes CPU cabling for communicating withother system equipment, such as through SNMP.

Chassis 10 includes a main housing 14 and first and second hinged covers16, 18. Cover 16 defines a left side cover or left cover 16, and secondcover 18 defines a right side cover or right cover 18. Covers 16, 18pivot about hinges 20, 22, respectively. Hinges 20, 22 define verticalaxes of rotation. Cables enter chassis 10 through one or more openings24 on each end of chassis 10. Viewing windows 26 are provided forviewing internal structures behind covers 16, 18 when the covers are inthe closed positions shown in FIG. 1. Only one window 26 is visible inFIG. 1. Covers 16, 18 can be retained in the positions shown in FIG. 1through the use of a retention member 28. Preferably, retention member28 is a keyed lock, or another device for holding the covers in theclosed positions. Main housing 14, and covers 16, 18 of chassis 10 aremade from convenient materials, such as sheet metal.

Windows 26 can be used to view cabling and connection conditions behindcovers 16, 18. Windows 26 can also be used to view visual indictorsassociated with chassis 10, such as power, and alarm status. Windows 26lessen the need to open covers 16, 18 to check status. A further visualindicator 30 can be provided along a front 32 of chassis 10. The frontvisual indicator 30 can also be used if solid covers 16, 18 are desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-30, a similar wall mount chassis 110 isprovided. One difference over chassis 10 includes chassis 110 not havingany front visual indicators along a front 32. Chassis 110 also utilizesa fastener retainer 29 instead of keyed lock 28 for holding the covers16, 18 in the closed position. For the purposes of the furtherdescription below, chassis 10, 110 will be referred to as chassis 10.

Main housing 14 includes front 32, sides 34, 36, a top 38, and a bottom40. First and second extensions 42, 44 are provided, one each end ofmain housing 14. Extensions 42, 44 provide support for cable managementdevices for chassis 10. Extensions 42, 44 each include fastener holes 46useful for attaching cable management structure, as will be describedbelow.

Extensions 42, 44 each include a keyhole 48 for receipt of a mountingfastener for mounting chassis 10 to a wall. Preferably, the spacingbetween keyholes 48 is set at any convenient distance, such as 16inches, to correspond with standard building convention, such as wherewood wall studs are spaced every 16 inches. Both top 38 and bottom 40are provided with ventilation holes 50 for dissipating heat containedwithin main housing 14, such as through convection.

Each cover 16, 18 includes a top 52, a bottom 54, a front 56, and a side58. Between front 56 and side 58 is an angled side 60 containing window26. Typically, window 26 is covered by a sheet 61 of clear planarmaterial, such as Plexiglas or polycarbonate. Fasteners 62 can be usedto mount the sheet 61 of material in window 26.

Each cover 16, 18 includes a hinge post or pin 64 for receipt in a hingesocket 66 mounted adjacent to front 32 of main housing. By utilizing apin and socket type hinge, covers 16, 18 can be lifted off, such asduring installation of chassis 10, or when cabling management isconducted where the covers might otherwise interfere with access tochassis 10.

Each of covers 16, 18 include top and side cutouts 68, 70 to permitreceipt of cables entering chassis 10 when covers 16, 18 are in theclosed positions.

Referring now to FIG. 12, further details of the cable managementstructure for the cables on the left side of chassis 10 are shown. Anarea 86 behind cover 16 is used to manage the cables carrying theoptical and the electrical signals. Top and bottom flanges 80, 82 ofmain housing 14 extend from extension 42. Cable openings 84 are providedin flanges 80, 82 to allow for cables to enter area 86. A cablemanagement assembly 90 is mounted with fasteners 92 to extension 42.Cable management assembly 90 includes a spool 94 and a plurality ofcable clips 96. Flanges 98 of assembly 90 hold each of cable clips 96.Cable clips 96 provide bend radius control due to their curved surfaces.Cable clips 96 include a pivotally movable door 100 to access aninterior 102 of clip 96 for holding one or more cables in a securemanner. Any of a variety of cable clip or retention devices can be usedfor clips 96. One example clip is shown and described in U.S. Ser. No.10/233,018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.Assembly 90 includes a main plate portion 104 which supports flanges 98.Plate portion 104 also includes holes 106 for receiving fasteners formounting spool portions 108 to plate portion 104 to form spool 94.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a similar cable management assembly 91 isshown with respect to a right side of chassis 10. Assembly 91 is used tomanage cables in an area 87 behind cover 18, such as the power cablesand the CPU cables. Assembly 91 is similar to assembly 90, however, nospool is provided. Instead, assembly 91 utilizes a lance 111 for tyingcables, as necessary, for strain relief. Assemblies 90, 91 can beseparately assembled and added to main housing 14.

In the preferred embodiment, many of the parts of cable managementassemblies 90, 91 are identical, so as to permit convenient manufacture.One difference is that spool 94 is not provided with respect to assembly91. Both assemblies 90, 91 include a cover retention tab 112 forcooperating with either keyed lock 28 or fastener retainer 29 of covers16, 18. Keyed lock 28 includes a rotatable tab 115 (FIG. 1) for catchingtab 112 to prevent opening of covers 16, 18. Fastener retainer 29engages threaded hole 113 of tab 112 to prevent opening of covers 16,18.

Chassis 10 is utilized with a plurality of circuit cards received bymain housing 14. Preferably, main housing 14 includes card openings 120,122 at each of sides 34, 36, respectively, for receiving the desiredcircuit cards. Openings 120, 122 can be shaped as desired to mate withthe various cards of the shapes shown, or other shapes. Openings 120 areeach shaped to receive one card. Opening 122 is shaped to receive threecards.

In the preferred embodiment, two converter cards 124 are received one ineach card opening 120 at side 34. At side 36, two power cards 126, andone CPU card 128 are received in card opening 122. Fastener holes 130allow for retention of each of cards 124, 126, 128 through fasteners132. Notches 134 receive the edges of the card as each is inserted intothe opening. Such notches 134 encourage ease of use whereby the cardscannot be inserted upside down.

Each of the cards 124, 126, 128 has a similar structure with respect toa front 136, and a rearward extending circuit board 138 extendingperpendicularly to front 136. Fasteners 132 are retained on frontflanges 140 for engaging fastener holes 130 to secure each card to mainhousing 14. At a rear 142 of each card is structure for interfacing withan internal back plane 144. Converter cards 124 include rear connectors146 for interfacing with back plane connectors 156, such as 26 pinconnectors. Power cards 126 and CPU card 128 include rear connectors 148for interfacing with back plane connectors 158, such as 96 pinconnectors. Other connectors 156, 158 can be used to link the cards toback plane 144. Back plane 144 provides an electrical link throughcircuit tracings between the various cards disposed within main housing14. Connectors 156, 158 are staggered to prevent interference fromprojecting pins (compare FIGS. 21 and 24 with FIGS. 22 and 23).

Fronts 136 include front connection locations 139 for connecting to thecables, for example, optical cables, electrical cables (such as twistedpair), and power cables (DC or AC). Fronts 136 may also include one ormore indicators 151, such as LEDs, which are visible through windows 26when covers 16, 18 are closed. Fronts 136 are metallic structures andinclude a rear extension 143 for mounting to circuit board 138. Circuitboards 138 include various circuit tracings and circuit elements toconnect the front connection locations 139, the rear connectors 146,148, and the back plane 144, as needed.

Main housing 14 includes a main chassis assembly 141 and an innerchassis assembly 160 including back plane 144. Back plane 144 is loadedinto inner chassis assembly 160 through an opening 164 in a front wall162. Back plane 144 includes a rear notch 152 which interfaces with arear tab 166 of rear wall 168 of inner housing 160, so as to provide aone way fit for back plane 144. Both the top and bottom walls 170, 172of inner chassis assembly 160 include a plurality of slotted openings174, such as for ventilation. Further, each of top and bottom walls 170,172 include a plurality of slotted plastic card guides 176 for slidablyreceiving the edges of back plane 144, and cards 124, 126, 128. Each ofguides 176 includes a slot 178 extending in a longitudinal directionrelative to guide 176. Preferably, guides 176 snap mount to one of topand bottom walls 170, 172. Card guides 176 a are aligned with notches134 to receive each of cards 124, 126, 128. Back plane guide 176 ballows back plane 144 to float slightly until the various cards aremated through side opening 120, 122.

Preferably, inner chassis assembly 160 can be assembled first includingback plane 144, and then received in an opening 145 of main chassisassembly 141, such as shown in FIG. 17.

Cards 124, 126, 128 are provided with mating structures to preventimproper cards from being inserted into openings 120, 122. For example,cards 124 include intermediate slots 180, and back plane 144 includesposts 182. Cards 126 include lower notches 184, and bottom 172 of innerchassis assembly 160 includes a tab 186. Similarly, card 128 includes anupper notch 188, and top 170 includes a tab 190.

If one or more cards 124, 126, 128 are not used with chassis 10, a blankplate can be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 30, various example cables are shown inposition for converting electrical to optical, and optical toelectrical. One cover 16, 18 has been removed in each of FIG. 29. Asshown in FIG. 29, the fiber optic cables 200 enter through one of cableclips 96 and are positioned around spool 94 to take up slack and connectat front adapters 202 of converter cards 124. Cables 200 are terminatedwith optical connectors, such as SC type. Electrical cables 204 enterthrough a different cable clip 96 and are received in jacks 206 ofconverter cards 124. Cables 204 are terminated with plugs, such astwisted pair RJ45 plugs.

Now with reference to FIG. 30, UTP cables 208 extend through one ofcable clips 96 for connection at jacks 210 of CPU card 128. Three portsare shown, such as for IN, OUT, and Ethernet connections. Power cables212 enter through another cable clip 96 and connect to power cards 126at connection locations 214. If desired, lance 111 can be used to tiedown cables 208, or cables 212.

Because each of cable clips 96 in openings 24 includes a movable andsecurable hinged door, the cables can be conveniently positioned intheir desired locations, and then covers 16, 18 can be added and pivotedto the closed position, without pinching off or otherwise damaging thecables. Openings 24 are positioned along the top, bottom and side ofeach extension 42, 44 to provide for flexibility when cables areextended toward chassis 10. Side openings 24 a are particularly usefulfor situations when more than one chassis 10 is provided in a stackedarrangement. Vertical cable guides can be added as desired to verticallymanage the cables to and from each chassis 10.

Each end of main housing 14 includes an electrostatic dischargegrounding port 230, such as for receiving a banana clip of atechnician's grounding cable. Adjacent to power cards 126, main housing14 also includes a grounding contact 232 for connecting to the chassisground.

Referring now to FIG. 31, a schematic of the various elements of theinternal circuitry is shown. FIG. 31 shows two converter cards 124, mainand auxiliary power supply cards 126, and a CPU card 128. FIG. 31 alsoillustrates visual indicators 30 connected to back plane 144 forproviding a visual indicator associated with the front of chassis 10,such as shown in FIG. 1. The individual LED's 330 can extend throughopenings in front 32, to provide front visual indication of status.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

1. A wall mount chassis comprising: a main housing defining an interiorfor receipt of telecommunications circuitry, the main housing defining arear wall, an opposed front wall, and first and second sides extendingbetween the front and rear walls; first and second hinged covers, eachcover hinged at a hinge adjacent to one of the first and second sides,respectively; means for mounting the rear wall to a vertical wall; thefirst side defining a cable access location; and the second sidedefining a cable access location.
 2. The chassis of claim 1, whereineach hinged cover includes an access window for viewing an interior ofthe cover.
 3. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the access window ispositioned on an angled surface of the cover, angled with respect to theside and the front wall.
 4. The chassis of claim 1, wherein each hingedcover includes one of a post and a socket, and the main housing includesthe other of a post and socket wherein the socket is sized for receiptof the post to define each hinge.
 5. A wall mount chassis comprising: amain housing defining an interior for receipt of telecommunicationscircuitry, the main housing defining a rear wall, an opposed front wall,and first and second sides extending between the front and rear walls; aback plane including circuit traces, the back plane extending parallelto the first and second sides; means for mounting the rear wall to avertical wall; the first side defining a cable access location; thesecond side defining a cable access location; and the first and secondsides each defining an opening for receipt of at least one circuit cardextending perpendicularly to the back plane, each circuit card definingat least one of the cable access locations.
 6. The chassis of claim 5,wherein the main housing includes extensions extending generallyparallel to the rear wall from adjacent to the first and second sides,the extensions defining cable openings to receive cables extendingtoward the cable access locations.
 7. The chassis of claim 6, furthercomprising first and second hinged covers, each cover hinged at a hingeadjacent to one of the first and second sides, respectively, each coverpositionable in a closed position to close an area between the cableopenings of the extensions and the cable access locations, the coversrotatable to an open position to expose the area.
 8. The chassis ofclaim 7, further comprising retainers for selectively retaining thecovers in the closed positions.
 9. A wall mount chassis comprising: amain housing defining an interior for receipt of telecommunicationscircuitry, the main housing defining a rear wall, an opposed front walland first and second sides extending between the front and rear walls;the main housing including extensions defining cable openings adjacentto each of the first and second sides; the first and second sidesdefining a card opening sized for receipt of at least onetelecommunications card extending generally parallel to the front andrear walls; a back plane positioned within the main housing, the backplane including circuitry for electrically linking to thetelecommunications cards inserted into the card openings; first andsecond hinged covers, each cover hinged at a hinge adjacent to one ofthe first and second sides, respectively, each cover positionable in aclosed position to close an area between the cable openings of theextensions and the card openings of each of the sides.
 10. The chassisof claim 9, wherein each hinged cover includes an access window forviewing an interior of the cover.
 11. The chassis of claim 10, whereinthe access window is positioned on an angled surface of the cover,angled with respect to the side and the front wall.
 12. The chassis ofclaim 10, wherein each hinged cover includes one of a post and a socket,and the main housing includes the other of a post and socket wherein thesocket is sized for receipt of the post to define each hinge.
 13. Thechassis of claim 9, further comprising visual indicators positioned onthe front wall of the main housing, the visual indicators electricallylinked to circuitry within the main housing.
 14. The chassis of claim 9,further comprising a plurality of cable clips positioned adjacent toeach of the first and second sides for retaining cables positionedadjacent to the first and second sides and passing through the cableopenings.
 15. The chassis of claim 14, further comprising a cable spoolpositioned adjacent to one of the first and second sides.
 16. Thechassis of claim 14, further comprising a cable lance positionedadjacent to one of the first and second sides.
 17. The chassis of claim9, further comprising a cable spool positioned adjacent to one of thefirst and second sides.
 18. The chassis of claim 9, further comprising acable lance positioned adjacent to one of the first and second sides.19. The chassis of claim 9, further comprising a card positioned in eachof the card openings electrically linked to the back plane.
 20. Thechassis of claim 9, further comprising means for mounting the rear wallto a vertical wall.
 21. The chassis of claim 9, wherein each extensionincludes a fastener hole for receipt of a fastener to mount the rearwall to a vertical wall.
 22. The chassis of claim 9, further comprisingcover retainers to retain the covers in the closed positions.
 23. Thechassis of claim 9, further comprising a signal converter cardpositioned in the card opening at one of the first and second sides, thesignal converter card defining a first connection location forconnecting to an electrical cable and a second connection location forconnecting to an optical cable, the signal converter card electricallyconnected to the back plane.
 24. The chassis of claim 23, furthercomprising a power card positioned in the card opening at the other ofthe first and second sides opposite to the signal converter card, thepower card defining a first connection location for connecting to apower supply cable, the power converter card electrically connected tothe back plane.
 25. The chassis of claim 24, wherein each hinged coverincludes an access window for viewing an interior of the cover.
 26. Thechassis of claim 25, wherein the access window is positioned on anangled surface of the cover, angled with respect to the side and thefront wall.
 27. The chassis of claim 25, wherein each hinged coverincludes one of a post and a socket, and the main housing includes theother of a post and socket wherein the socket is sized for receipt ofthe post to define each hinge.
 28. A method of managingtelecommunications cables comprising the steps of: providing a chassismounted to a wall and having left and right sides; providing one coverat each of the left and right sides; hinging the covers closed to covereach of the left and right sides of the chassis; extending an electricalsignal cable to a selected side from the left and right sides; extendingan optical signal cable to the selected side; connecting the extendedelectrical signal cable and the extended optical signal cable to asignal converter circuitry within the chassis; extending a power supplycable to the other side opposite the selected side; and connecting theextended power supply cable to the signal converter circuitry within thechassis.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising cable clips, andfurther comprising the step of clipping each cable to one of the cableclips before hinging the covers to the closed positions.